|
|
|
|
Kaaren Palmer
Champagne Editor Galaxy Guides
|
|
The Champagne Bureau’s Masterclass
this year, held in each capital city, will take the form of a blind tasting. This makes the whole thing quite intriguing in its appeal to newcomers and the more experienced alike. Matching snacks will complement the tastings, so there’ll be plenty of ideas for you to take away. Book soon, as these classes fill quickly. To grab a ticket click here and to find out more here please click here
|
|
It’s Champagne Day
on October 23rd so mark it in your diary now. There’s an entire Champagne Week in the UK from 1–7 October. We should toast at that time as well, in accordance with global solidarity. Searcy’s champagne bars are participating, including the one at St. Pancras station. If all the little booths are busy warming others from the under-table heaters, the Midland Hotel and its wonderful bar are close by. Further information about where and what National Champagne Week Returns
|
|
The official
champagne of the 2015–17 America’s Cup, Moët & Chandon have released their 2006 vintage rosé, but my palate is still fixated on the 2004 Veuve Clicquot pink drink, which is seriously beautiful thanks to the Grand Cru Bouzy vineyards acquired during Madame Clicquot’s time.……. Available at many retail outlets, but for those worried about provenance and storage, you can always buy on-line from the source, much to the initial disgust of the retailers who built up the brand in Australia. With discounts for 6+ bottles, larger bottle formats, and promotions with the likes of chef Neil Perry, I’ll be sourcing my next small batch here
|
|
The Importance of Provenance
Greatly improved by good cellaring, as you well know, I received a reminder from a member of the Springfield Group when the virtues of a much-improved Mumm NV were noted. The following Decanter article also features links to Michael Edwards’ suggestions for both NV and vintage champagne. To me, all are improved not just by resting after their travels but by an extended spell in the cellars. Chez nous, we have just finished our last Henriot Brut Souverain, which after three years in the cellar displayed a creamily textured freshness. Made by last year’s international sparkling winemaker of the year, Laurence Fresnet, and distributed by the Luxury Beverage Group in Australia.
|
|
The science and art of blending - Laurent Fresnet
courtesy of Champagne Henriot
|
|
So Far North
So far north that we often think ‘cold and wet’, but 2015 in Champagne has been warm and dry. So dry that since 22nd July water restrictions have been declared in many Champagne communes of the northern Marne Valley, the western, northern and eastern Montagne de Reims as far as Verzenay and Verzy, and some villages of the Vitryat. No cars may be washed, no lawns watered, no pools or fountains filled, no drilling for water within 100m of some of the river banks, and agricultural quotas will also be reduced by 10–30%. If things continue, we can expect a grape harvest of fruit concentration and flavour. The 2015 harvest has been set at 10,500kg/ha and if the fine weather holds, harvest will be about September 10th. The business of Champagne, the politics of Champagne, the rules about how much may be harvested. For a rundown on the rationale, and how the numbers of bottles are decided.
To read this excellent article please click here
|
|
Chardonnay from
Villers-Marmery
its ripeness evident from the yellow tinge to the grapes, or, as the Champenois say: ‘The foxes have pissed.’
Photo courtesy of Victor Pugatschew, www.photoessence.com.au
|
|
Fascinating Troyes, the ancient capital of Champagne. Source: Wikimedia Commons, Myrabella, February 2015
The Route de Champagne
in the deep south
You may not be able to read French, but everybody can read a map. The visually gorgeous Côte des Bar has been thoroughly signposted for the avid champagne lover click here and take your time meandering through.
Even though this article is a little dated, I do believe that it captures the essential spirit of the ancient capital of Champagne, Troyes click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
